Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Everything (and one) needs a beginning.

So we've got this lovely revamped ship, with awesome new digs by our revamp artist Carrie and Terri assisted (because Terri is awesome at these things). Getting a new home, pulling back into our first port and taking a look around with more experienced eyes puts me back into memory lane.


But I'm not going to rehash a blog that I wrote five years ago or anything for this occasion. No, I think we should take the day to consider how far we've all grown in the past five years. Five years ago I wouldn't come out and say that before I start a story, I need to outline and see where it's all really going. Five years ago, I was just starting out with the writing thing. I had no direction. No clarity of where I wanted to be.


Things that have changed for me from the time we were in our old port (blogspot) to our new port (URL) and back to our beginnings:


  1. I have a grasp on outlining.

  2. I can write in actual format.

  3. I have this insane need to write the entire story before posting. (Of course, this applies only to my fan fic writing.)

  4. I love all my heroes. And most of my heroines. This was not so much the case when I first started writing originals.


I'm sure there are other things that have changed for me in the writing world but as of right now, this isn't just about me. This is about you- our readers, our fellow writers- and how you've changed since you've become our blog mate, our faithful blog readers and our friends. So take today to tell us how you've grown. (And I'm sure it's okay to comment on how much you like our revamped look.) I can tell you it's nice to be “home”.

23 comments:

Quantum said...

Since I started reading the pirate blogs I have evolved (don't like the 'grown' word!)

I have discovered that things are not always what they seem!
If a pirate says she is fat and paranoid I know that in 'reality' she is probably a goddess.

When Sin posts on a Wed I look deeper to see if she posted on a Tuesday.
And lo and behold, What a fabulous perspective on 'the world within'
Then within that world I find the lovely fairy Julie.

I have never met a real fairy, but in the subatomic realm there is a stunning world where reality dissolves into nothingness and energy. Everything is connected and little is 'really' understood.

Feynman once said (roughly) "If someone claims to understand the subatomic world they don't understand anything!"

Likewise if you think that you understand the pirates, think again!

Wonderful blog(s) Sin!
Fabulous revamp!

Sin said...

Q! My love! I've missed you so. I do believe that I couldn't find my other blog that was to be posted. So maybe I've double posted. Oh well. At least you enjoy my ramblings.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I've enjoyed them both! I didn't know you've taken up outlining! No matter how much you've changed, one thing remains the same: you can keep a secret with your dying breath. *LOL*

Sin said...

A dash of outlining. Nothing real detailed. I've found when my brain gets ahead of itself, it's better to have something fleshed out for when I get there then leaving it for my memory to remember. My memory is stellar but even I can't remember every detail I thought up the first time.

I blame this outlining thing on you. You've always talked to me about outlining and storyboarding and stuff. I think secretly hoping one of these days I'd latch onto one writing process. Outlining is kinda relaxing I think.

Hellie Sinclair said...

In that case, I still recommend the Weiland book. Don't you have a kindle? It's only $2.99 and it's light outlining...and it's not really outlining.

Sin said...

I knew that was coming..

Scapegoat said...

Love this post Sin!

Since I wasn't here from the beginning I don't have 5 full years of pirating awesomeness to have shaped me, but I have grown since following this here blog.

About 3 years ago I went to my very first writers conference after losing my mom kicked my ass into no longer ignoring the part of me that wanted to write. That conference changed my life in small and not so small ways. It really cemented to me that this isn't some crazy dream to do "one day", but something to do now.

It was there that I met the amazing 2nd Chance and immediately started lurking at The Revenge. You can al blame my prescence on her!

My growth in the past 5 years includes:

1. 5 years ago I had never written a single word of fiction in my adult life. Now I'm over 2/3rds done with my first story.

2. 5 Years ago I just had this idea in my head that was more fantasy than reality about being a writer. Who knew of what. I didn't. Now I feel like I've narrowed that down t 1 or 2 subgenres of romance. I still have some room for growth there on finding what really works best for my voice - what that is!

3. 5 Years ago I knew not a single writer to "talk shop" with. Now I have you pirates to kick my ass and answer my questions. Having you is invaluable on this writer's path.

4. Most importantly, I have confidence now I didn't have 5 years ago. Yes, I'm laughing at that because I don't have that much confidence, but it's a hell of a lot more after being a part of this ship than it ever was before finding all of you.

Sin said...

Scapey, your mother would be so proud of you!

I know that feeling of fantasy vs reality. I had no one to talk writing with either when I first started. It wasn't until my DH introduced me to Hellion that I really had someone who was a writer in my life to talk about all the writer things with. Having that changes your perception about writing and whether it stays a fantasy or becomes a reality.

I'm so glad you found Chanceroo! So glad you decided to do this. Have faith in yourself and your abilities!

Maureen said...

5 years ago... Gods. I was cowering in a corner, having written more than a dozen full length books but not even attempting publication. I was too fragle. Then the sudden cardiac death hit. From April 2007 to April 2012 I went to my first writing conference. At my second I found the postcard promoting the Revenge.

I pitched in April of 2009. Again in April of 2010. In 2010, an agent offered me representation...in 2011, my first book came out. Now, I'm approaching April 2012 with 6 titles released.

So much can change in 5 years. Life is good! And aboard the Revenge, it's fabulous!

Terri Osburn said...

I just registered for Nationals in Anaheim. 4th National conference in 5 years. That's a change! LOL! Scape, I'm so happy that Chance found us and you found Chance and she led you to us. We're lucky to have you, my dear. Now you need to go register for Anaheim because Chance and I want you as our roomie again. :)

I joined a local RWA chapter in 2007, but it took until 2010 to finish my first MS. (There was this little thing called college that took up my time.) I'm not revising my 2nd MS and preparing to send it off to an agent. I've also entered the GH twice and that's a major accomplishment I didn't think I could do even 2 years ago.

But most of all, I've found some of the best friends I'll ever have on this ship. My life would royally suck without you!

Hellie Sinclair said...

I'm trying to think what I was doing 5 years ago. So much is the same. I mean I do have the apartment now; I've lost my brother; I keep a closer watch on my Dad--but writing wise, I'm not sure if I'm coming or going.

I have to believe even treading water means I haven't drowned yet.

Still...five years ago I arm-twisted a group of my friends and their friends into blogging with me and I had an idea to blog about writing. How easy it was, how hard it was, how anyone could do it--which I still believe. Anyone can write; it's a matter of doing it. Few of you believed me. And yet basically everybody who didn't believe me finished writing a novel--so I suppose this is my chance to say, "I told you so."

I think the biggest thing I've learned is that life will always "be in the way" and you can't use that an excuse to put writing aside. Writing is your life. You need to write even when life is in the way, though obviously a break now and again never killed anyone. But writing is important and you should treat it as it is important as all the other things in your life.

Terri Osburn said...

Where did Hellie's comment go??

Terri Osburn said...

Oh, there it is. It didn't come up when I first hopped on the page. LOL!

You'll use any excuse to say "I told you so!" LOL!

P. Kirby said...

The blog looks mah-ve-lous, dah-ling. Very spiffy.

I'm a relatively new lurker, here, having first visited when the lovely Chance let me pimp my book last year.

I've since become a frequent lurker because I like your approach to talking about writing. You also have some nifty interviews.

I confess, in general, I don't spend a lot of time on writing blogs or forums. First, because so many take a one-size-fits-all approach to writing, but mostly because, I'm not comfortable talking about my own writing. Discussing my own writing feels so self-involved. I'm not say that it is self-involved, just that I feel that way. That's why, on my own blog, I apply my discussions of the writing craft to movies and occasionally, other books. I don't talk about my own writing or books very much.

But the Revenge gives me a fun place to at least read about other writer's approaches, angst, etc.

So, thank you!

Maureen said...

We make more friends that way, Pat!

Hellie Sinclair said...

ANY EXCUSE. It's sad.

Is it wrong that I feel very privileged and flattered that P.Kirby deigns to visit our blog frequently? Sweet!

Then again, it's probably clear we have no one-size-fits-all around here. *LOL* Hell, we're lucky if the same thing works two days in a row.

Terri Osburn said...

I love that Pat has become a regular. She definitely fits right in. LOL! And I love the blogs she does deign to write. Even if I don't always comment. :)

Scapegoat said...

I'm loving all these answers, but Hellie - I believe you have probably grown more than you are giving yourself credit for. :)

JulieJustJulie said...

I love the revamped look. And heck yes it's nice to be “home”. Blogspot is where I began ... well blogging. Which wasn't my intention. Honestly? I was just looking for a book to read.

JulieJustJulie said...

SIN said “My memory is stellar …”
Upon hearing above statement Julie said “OMG?! Is that your way of telling me to leave large packets of untraceable stacks of mucho money in the crow’s nest every week … or else?”

JulieJustJulie said...

Five years ago? Hmm … my husband had just changed careers in mid stream, I had just relearned to drive, then moved to the country, and was recuperating from eye surgery number six. The eye Dr suggested that I buy a Ford Mustang & go on a Grand Tour of Europe. Eehh … I was just happy to drive my Taurus again. And forget the grand whatever … I just wanted to read a book. Seriously. I was just minding my own beeswax when I saw this funny looking chicken thingie. Curious I double clicked on it and BAMB! I fell through a wormhole into a Radio, got hit with a Stone, or maybe I hit her? It’s all so confusing. And I swearrrr that I saw Santa right before everything went dark. Then I woke up upon the poopdeck of the Revenge. Why did I stay? Well it had something to do with accidently joining the army. And letters, I had to write letters right. So, hanging out in blogdom was part of my rite of writing right letters write-rite.
All I’m sayin’ is I have no idea quite how I got here but … I BLAME that darn Chicken. And Hellion. And SIN. And Terri and Marnee and Q and Maureen and Donna and … the books. It’s all about the books! And Janga … I blame you too and … WTH? I don't even type let alone write ...

JulieJustJulie said...

And another thing ... not only am I reading and commenting and typing-ish but now I'm a CP? WTH is wrong with you people! What the bleep-bleep-bleep are you doing letting people like me roam around the Literary world? Have you no shame? have you no-ooooh-um I get it. You're Pirates.
Pass the rum please before I fall through another wormhole and find myself doing something really CRAZY. Like editing someting-gahhh! What the bleep-bleep-bleep are you doing letting people like me roam around the Literary world? Have you no ...

JulieJustJulie said...

Q said "Then within that world I find the lovely fairy Julie."

Q!Q? Are you talking about me? How Lovely to be called a lovely fairy! And I LOVE poetic Scientific science talk ... and realms where reality dissolves into nothingness. And energy. And everything is connected, but little is 'really' understood ... little things ... like me! ;)